Windows XP services.msc problem

Hello, Geniuses!

I'd like to thank everyone for their advice so far, it's been a lifesaver, and I've been telling everyone about it, which leads me to my problem...

One of my employees just opens everything he sees (and has no "protection") so his 2 WEEK old computer is disgustingly infested. Spyware, about:blank, and I don't even know what all else, because...

He asked me to come to his house to "fix" it. I didn't feel like it, so I gave him the link to these forums, the spyware thread, and the sticky post with spyware, trojan, and virus removal, and told him to follow them exactly.

He's running XP Home, service pack 1, and I think he missed "exactly." He turned off System restore, and started looking for Network Security, RPC, and the Workstation one. RPC is in there (twice), but he's disabled a lot.

He says he couldn't "stop" RPC so he just started randomly clicking properties and disabling features (the startup disable).

The thing still boots, and I can get to services.msc, but when I right click "properties" Nothing. Nada. Like I never even clicked it.

I used XP (un)help, and tried in safe mode. Then I searched these forums, but couldn't find this particular problem.

Does anyone know what I can do? Or is this just a start fresh kind of thing?

This is just a toy for him, so there's nothing on it he'd be upset about losing.

Thanks in advance,
Erika

 

Welcome Erika, to MG. Some folks just go at like a bull at a gate when they get their first PC. We probably all did it, until we learned better, for our next PC's. You have pointed him in the right direction and he looks like he ignores your advice. If you get involved, he will just use your generosity, as you suspect. Let him do his own thing and he will learn the hard way unfortunately. He can join MG and post his problems and we will try to sort him out, if he is willing to take advice and implement it. He's gotta get "protection" to start with. If he won't do that then he will never have a "safe" PC. Bazza

===

 

Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is critical for Windows XP to work. You can try to enable it using the registry editor (If not in normal mode, then in safe mode):

Using registry editor to enable Remote Procedure Call (RPC)

Note the service Remote Procedure Call (RPC) Locator (Notice "Locator") isn't critical.

 

Thanks all. I appreciate your advice.

Apparently last night he formatted his C: drive (someone -not me- told him this was a good idea to do every week or so), so I'm reinstalling his stuff, and making MG his opening web page. Maybe he'll get the hint.

Thanks again!
Erika